r HY ask? Does not God know? Yes; He who said, "ASK" said that, Mat. 6:8. Is not God's plan fixed from eternity? I believe it; the Book that says -'Pray" says that, Acts 15:18. Is not natural law changeless, an nn- broken chain of cause and effect? It looks that way, Gen. 8:22; Jer. 33:25 Does not the prayer of one often cancel that of another? Logically it seems to. How then can God answer prayer? I do not know. But I do know that all men instinctively cry to Him in need, as new born infants for the breast. Why instinct should lie in one case and not in the other is as hard a question as any here. I do know that myriads of saints have said, and do say that their prayers are granted. I, myself, say as much of my own. So much is this the case that I have found myself, apart from the promise, saying." If I ask I shall ge t ." That is the fruit of experience. I do know that God could write prayer into the eternal scroll of His age-long schemes; and that He mast be as able to use the laws of nature to work this, or that, without a break in them as man can. I shall ask and leave to Him the how to give. Jesus prayed! I know, too, that the assurances of prayer could not be greater. It is written that nothing is impossible with God, however it may look and be to men, M4rk 10:27; that He is able to do for "if ye ask any- more than we are - A sk w h a t thou wilt "Wh at shall i a s k ? i h i n ? „ i n m y n a m e. aDie to asK, Jlipn. F r om labor and t he cross release, I Will OO i t , " SO 3.': 20; and will not E x emp t i on f r om the common t a s k, ask what ve will mock his child who A l i f e of ? a r e l 6 SS e a s e ? and it »hall be done coM W o r I " A s k ^ a t thou wilt, "Or, shall I a s k ^ » W " V * cold stone, or a F or gold, a million yellow s u ns « t a r ry wait for it; scorpion's s t i n g , Wi th f a v o r i ng beams, t h at I may bask why, hitherto- ye Luke 11: u , 12. I W i t h F o r t u n e 's pampered sons? have asked noth- know t h a t t h e „\ , , • ing," ask!" Mat. P r a v e r - h e a r e r 's A s k w h a t t h o u wilt," and should I a sk 7 , 7 R . j - i . - 10.0a. t n S E f i ^ f 1 . P o r m a " y days, t h a t thou shouldst a r m I j °< J " 1 " 1 liberality IS equal My s t r e n g th with breastplate, shield, and 14:14; 15:7; Hab. to His ability. What casque 2; 3. m o r e could H p s a v? Invincible to h a r m? „1 . • , . more couia n e say. We do not know He tells us to make ,„Viat to for our wants known " A J: k w h a t thou wilt," and shall I a s k ^¡fiy**. tt; " TJ,;. , « The praise of men, t he obsequious crowd iAS.9 cnuaren we to mm, riui. 4.0, T h at f a w n i ng b r e ak t he f u l s ome flask Cry for harmful and . adds many Of flattery o'er the proud? things that wise "exceeding great ^ love can not give to and precious prom- A ? k w h a t thou wilt.' And shall I a sk this there ». o p _+ I . J A mo n a r c h 's crown, a s t a t e s ma n 's skill, J 18, r o F . 8 .¡T • i * ; T » T o bear t he sword, and w e ar t he m a sk IS provision, If We saying "Ask and it T h at rules t he world a t will? seek it; the Spirit shall be given you," ' wil teach find help "for everyone that Ask w h at x will? then, Lord I a sk us, Rom. 8:26; and asketh receiveth," Thy will, Thy praise, T hy k i n g d om be. the Word also, in therefore "ask and ^ S ^ v e ¡n T & l m m y t a s k ' which we learn to receive that your begin with "Hal- joy may be full," - ' l o w ed be T h y Name," and to follow with, "Thy will be done;" the Lord's example being before us, Mat. 26:36; His loftiest request for Himself being writ under that for His Father's glory, John If ; j. Once more, if the consciousness of our fleshly failing beclouds our expectation w e are told of Elias' victory though himself of the same passions and infirmities a s W e- Thus we are by "line upon line" encouraged to "ask nothing doubt- ing," 1 Ti m . 2:8. Bab^s in Christ» in their first use of this gift of grace, ask more for "daily bread," for the good things of this life than for "the best gifts," but as they move from grade to grade they cease, more and more, to ask for the supplies, comforts, and goods, of this life; and find their desire and delight in communion with the Father, and petition for growth, and gifts of grace: for others rather than for self; for the failing Church; and the fallen world: and above all for ihe sovren rule of the Lord Himself in and oVer the petitioner hiinself. Not till then do they taste the sweets of fellowship, or gain the fulness of the Promise "Ask—it shall be done!"
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